Liverpool have been dealt a major blow just over a week before the season begins, with midfielder Adam Lallana ruled out for a “significant period” – at least two months.
The 29-year-old played the second half against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, then the first half against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday but suffered a thigh injury in that second game.
“This is certainly not news we would have wanted,” said Jurgen Klopp.
“Unfortunately, the damage is such that it will likely mean Adam is out for a couple of months not weeks, so I think we can pretty much rule him out of August and September.
“Beyond that we will monitor and wait and see. He is a boy with a world-class attitude to everything professionally and he has always come back in good time from injury setbacks since I have been here, so we will see.”
Lallana, who scored eight goals last season, will miss the opening months of the season, including the opening Champions League group games should the Reds navigate their way past Hoffenheim in the play-off this month.
While Klopp has ruled him out of August and September, he could face three months on the sidelines, according to some reports.
Whether this news forces Liverpool to either return their interest in Naby Keita, or further their interest in Arsenal‘s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, we will have to see in the coming days.
Another midfielder though is surely needed this summer, with Lucas Leiva and Kevin Stewart leaving and European competition to contend with this coming season.
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